Can't reinstall avast after trouble with update to 4.8 [Solved]

[Vlk]

Is there any possibility of the new and future versions of avast detecting the old version of aswclear and warning users of the need to update it?

I can't imagine how this would work, actually.
But how many people really cache/store aswClear.exe? I'd that in the vast majority of cases, everyone uses a fresh copy of the tool.

[alanrf]

Hmmm ... how about creating a signature for the old version as malware ... which it is now?

It is already clear from this thread that some people (other than me) have the old version. 

[OisteinR]

You guys are fantastic!!!!!!
I'm impressed by the way you don't give up. The support is superb!

I downloaded the aswclear.exe yesterday morning, when my world fell in pieces....
...and that version didn't do the trick!
As VLK said, the files aswSp.sys and aswFsBlk.sys were still there.

Then, today I downloaded the new one from yesterday.
Ran the new tool in safe-mode, rebooted and installed 4.8.

And now, everything works as it should! 

No doubt in my mind: avast! forever! 

[alanrf]

Very happy to hear that you are up and working again.

[Lisandro]

You guys are fantastic!!!!!!
I'm impressed by the way you don't give up. The support is superb!

Welcome to avast forums world

[Giraffe]

Hmmm ... how about creating a signature for the old version as malware ... which it is now?

It is already clear from this thread that some people (other than me) have the old version. 

Also perhaps include the date in the name or the version of Avast that it will work on?

I've just downloaded the latest; it has a difference in size but the 'version' is still 1.0.0.1.

If I hadn't read this thread I'd never have known that the file had changed or that the old one wouldn't do the job.

[DavidR]

Well it certainly looks like from here on in (with the avast self-defence module) we will have to advise disabling it prior to running aswclear.exe if you have been unable to uninstall using Add Remove programs, or running from safe mode where avast isn't loaded.

OR

Perhaps simplify any instruction to ensure you have the latest version of ashClear.exe, boot into safe mode and run the Uninstall Utility from there.

[Vlk]

I'm not sure... adding aswClear.exe to the virus database as malware - I somehow don't think it's a good idea.
Plus, people usually use this very tool in case their avast does not work IMHO.

[alanrf]

C'mon you are avoiding the point ... we are talking about the old version here ... not the new and we both know the two versions look different.

All you have to say is you decided not to do it because you run the show.  Discussion ended - we can point anyone else who runs foul of the old version to the decision point.